Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Introduction

By night--literally, "By nights." Continuation of the longing for the dawn of the Messiah (Sol 2:17; Psa 130:6; Mal 4:2). The spiritual desertion here (Sol 2:17; Sol 3:5) is not due to indifference, as in Sol 5:2-8. "As nights and dews are better for flowers than a continual sun, so Christ's absence (at times) giveth sap to humility, and putteth an edge on hunger, and furnisheth a fair field to faith to put forth itself" [RUTHERFORD]. Contrast Sol 1:13; Psa 30:6-7. on . . . bed--the secret of her failure (Isa 64:7; Jer 29:13; Amo 6:1, Amo 6:4; Hos 7:14). loveth--no want of sincerity, but of diligence, which she now makes up for by leaving her bed to seek Him (Psa 22:2; Psa 63:8; Isa 26:9; Joh 20:17). Four times (Sol 3:1-4) she calls Jesus Christ, "Him whom my soul loveth," designating Him as absent; language of desire: "He loved me," would be language of present fruition (Rev 1:5). In questioning the watchmen (Sol 3:3), she does not even name Him, so full is her heart of Him. Having found Him at dawn (for throughout He is the morning), she charges the daughters not to abridge by intrusion the period of His stay. Compare as to the thoughtful seeking for Jesus Christ in the time of John the Baptist, in vain at first, but presently after successful (Luk 3:15-22; John 1:19-34). found him not--Oh, for such honest dealings with ourselves (Pro 25:14; Jde 1:12)!